The most underappreciated key to success

The most underappreciated key to successThe most underappreciated key to successDo you know what will make you the best in your profession?Its not having the most talent.Its not necessarily being the hardest worker or the nicest partie (unfortunately).All the skills, talent and connections in the world are no match for one quality that endures, standing the test of time and outwitting any foe that dares to challenge it.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThis quality is something that is often overlooked. Its underappreciated. Oddly, its not that highly valued, nor does it appear on many peoples mission statements or core values.Its acknowledged with mild enthusiasm.Ho hum.That quality? (How was this for a tease?)Consistency.Consistency deserves its rightful seat at the head of the table of every successful entrepreneur, company, operation, venture and story of accomplishment. And y et?It aint sexy, baby.Few people ever truly get to the point of maximum consistency in the key areas of their lives. Sure, theyll rise at 630 A.M. on the button each morning. They maybe wont cut corners- always on time for work And theyll pay their taxes and do their darnedest in all they do.Admirable, to be sure.But will they consistently tackle every task of their life with belief, commitment and purpose?Will they give-in or change course when the going gets a little too tough? How firm will they stand in the headwinds of adversity?Will they truly landsee things through to completion that they believe in with all their hearts?Thats consistency. Thats persistence. Thats resilience.As Mr. Tom Petty once said I wont back down.And as Christopher D. Connors once said,Im going to show up every single day and give everything I have my very best with maximum efficiency and consistency.Truth is, theres no other way toward living a life of fulfillment. I know this. I am an expert on this. B ecause Ive tried the countless other ways and fallen short.I have the emotional, spiritual and mental scars to prove it. You just cant see em. But theyre there, alright.What Ive learned on my journey is that consistency is absolutely, positively, unequivocally KING.Consistency in doing what you say youre going to do.Consistency in following through and seeing tasks through to completion when you havecontrol.Consistently showing up and giving your best effort each day- even when you dont want to.Consistency in attitude and leadership.Consistency when you doubt.Consistency when others doubt you.Consistency when it really doesnt seem like its worth it, but that powerful voice inside your head- ya know, the one of intuition that always seems to be right- is pleading and screaming at you to keep going. Because you need to keep going. Because if you do, you will reap the rewards and benefits of perseverance.Ill tell you what- this is so easy when the going is good. Its practically effortl ess.But truly powerful consistency is revealed when times are tough. When times are bad. This is where you have to go for it with all your might and resist the urge to give in for another day. Because then, youve broken your habit. And it gets harder and harder to get back on track.Think about times where youve stopped short previously in life because you havent consistently given things your time, energy, effort and havent stuck to your guns enough to see something through that you deeply believe inHow did that make you feel?It isnt easy to keep going when you dont see results. Its the biggest challenge we will EVER face to our personal development. Its adversity in its finest and most formidable manifestation.This is where you have to embrace the path youve chosen and surround yourself with positive influences.Cast worry to the side and approach every day with a resolute mind and consistency.The biggest results of your life will follow when you simply give it your best shot every day.Its the way. I promise.Are you willing to give it your best shot every day?As Lee Ann Womack once sang, When you get the choice to sit it out or dance I hope you dance. Thats what living is all about.Join my newsletter foremotional intelligence and productivitycontentGet a FREE Coaching Callto Explore Your Emotional Intelligence, and Learn how to Achieve Your BiggestGoalsCheck out my Amazon bestseller, The Value of You, which has helped tens of thousands of people develop the game plan for living their best lifeThis article first appeared on Medium.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people